Tracy DeWitt & David Smoake

Tracy DeWitt

Tracy DeWitt is a chef instructor for Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale. Tracy has received many teaching awards during her 16 years as an instructor, including the highest honor in Retention Award, six-time winner of the coveted Crystal Apple Award for teaching excellence, and was recognized as a top twelve finalist for the 2004 Educator of the Year. Chef DeWitt continues to be very active in the competition world. She has appeared on the Food Network Challenge five times and has competed on a national level in three Pastry Championships. Last year she was awarded the title of ACF Pastry Chef of the Year for the Western Region.

David Smoake

David Smoake attended Scottsdale Culinary Institute where he received his Culinary Arts degree in 1991. It was there he found his true talents lie in the art of baking and pastry. It was at that juncture that he accepted a position at the famed Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. David worked as the assistant pastry chef at the Scottsdale Radisson Resort and Spa, followed by the pastry chef position at the Buttes Resort and Spa in Tempe, Arizona.

In 2003, Chef Smoake was invited back to Scottsdale Culinary Institute to be a part of the faculty team in the Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie & Baking Program. Within his second year at the school, David received the Crystal Apple Award for teaching excellence and was named Instructor of the Year for 2005. In 2006, he won a gold medal at the 2006 National Bread and Pastry Team Championship with his team member (and spouse) Chef Tracy DeWitt. The team was awarded “Best Pastry Dégustation”. In 2009, the duo won: a gold medal on the Food Network’s “Extreme Candy Carnival” competition; a silver medal at the National Pastry Team Championship; and a silver medal at the Food Network’s “Extreme Candy Coaster” chocolate competition. In 2010, he coached Chef DeWitt winning the ACF western regional Pastry Chef of the Year, and she earned a bronze medal at the National Pastry Chef of the Year. Later that year the duo won a gold medal at the Food Network’s “Sugar Destinations” competition on October 14, 2010.

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What are People Saying about Pastry Live?

I learned a lot yesterday, including how to pack chocolates for travel better...I will definitely be back next year. I enjoyed the entire program immensely and I think you all did a wonderful job putting it on.

Robyn Dochterman

What an awesome event and fantastic group of competitors/friends. I had a great time. Fantastic job putting together the Pastry Live event. Thank you for everything and I hope you get a well deserved rest.

Natasha Capper

Thank you for an incredible event! I had a wonderful time competing!"

Katharina Craine

We had a great time, you guys are terrific to work with and deserve so much kudos for your efforts.
Your passion and commitment to the industry is inspiring

Tracy DeWitt

...Congrats to you two and Paul on the successful completion of your inaugural event. ...

Matthew Stevens

I wanted to say thank you for letting me be a part of this great event. You and your team outdid yourselves. I was amazed at all the great volunteers and workmanship in putting this competition together. You should be very proud!

Heather Hurlbert

Thank you! The Pastry Live team did a great job!

Karen Portaleo

Awesome event, Chef! Besides seeing what is the best out there, got to see old friends in the industry. I Got to talk to Cristina a little while having the "hard job" of tasting those bonbons. =)

Maia Suzuki

Thank you and everyone involved for putting on such an awesome event. I can hardly wait until next year.

Natasha Capper, CEPC

Thank you again for everything! It was a great event and it was great to be a part of it.

Andy Chlebana

This event was amazing! I have never seen such beautiful sugar sculptures in my life—the artistry in all the designs were exceptional and you can tell that the participants really enjoyed themselves, although I’m sure parts must have been pretty nerve-wracking. ;-)

Cyndi Groth

Thanks so much for putting on such a wonderful event!
Looking forward to next year----

Amy Everett Stankus, Chocolatier

Thank you So much for letting me and my employees come to your pastry live event. It was really great! Me and Analia have started practicing some sugar this week and been making everything we learned in class:) Thank you thank you thank you:)

Amanda Parker

Pastry live was a great experience, within a few days after that I was hired by Sullivan University in Louisville , KY, as their new pastry chef instructor for contemporary patisserie and chocolate program, I am very excited about that, I love teaching.

Laurent Vals

Great great pleasure to know you, you can count on me and Nuubia for being here next year.

Lionel Clement

I don't think I need to tell you again how much I enjoyed this weekend and how thankful I am for being invited to be a part of it. But, thank you for everything. You know I will be there next year...and the
year after that...and so on :)

Tori McKinley

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